Town or village
Gaighat
The headquarters of Udayapur district, a growing bazaar in the inner Terai valley of the Triyuga river.
रौता पोखरी
Rauta Pokhari
A small sacred lake and temple in the hills of northern Udayapur, the focus of local pilgrimage and fairs.
- Altitude
- -*
- Best months
- Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec
- Type
- Lake
- District
- Udayapur, Koshi
- Permit
- None needed
Why go
Rauta Pokhari is a small lake in the hills of northern Udayapur district, in the area of Rautamai Rural Municipality, which takes its name from the goddess honoured here. The lake sits among forest and farmland on the higher ground above the Triyuga valley, with a temple to Rautamai nearby, and it is a place of worship as well as a quiet scenic spot.
Most visitors are pilgrims and domestic tourists from Udayapur and neighbouring districts. They come to worship at the temple, walk around the lake and enjoy the cooler air of the hills. The setting is peaceful outside festival times, with the surrounding forest and the open water creating a calm atmosphere.
The lake is off the main tourist routes and facilities are simple, so it suits travellers who want to see the rural hills of eastern Nepal at an unhurried pace. It can be visited from Gaighat or combined with travel north through the hills towards Okhaldhunga and Khotang.
History and culture
Rautamai is worshipped as a protective goddess by the communities around the lake, and the temple is the focus of local devotion. Like many sacred lakes in Nepal, Rauta Pokhari attracts its largest crowds at religious festivals, when people come to make offerings, pray for health and good harvests, and take part in fairs with stalls, music and gatherings.
The hills around the lake are home to Magar, Rai, Tamang, Chhetri, Brahmin and other communities, and the site is shared by people of different traditions. Its significance is mainly regional, and much of what is known about it comes from local tradition rather than written history. Visitors should treat the lake and temple as sacred: avoid swimming or fishing, keep noise down and follow the guidance of local people.
Things to do in Rauta Pokhari
Temple and lake
Visit the Rautamai temple and walk around the lake, ideally in the morning.
Festival visit
Ask locally about festival dates, when the lake is busiest and the fair takes place.
Hill walks
Explore the surrounding forest and villages on footpaths with a local companion.
Weather and the best time to visit Rauta Pokhari
Weather in Rauta Pokhari
Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Feb-Apr, Oct-Dec
- Jan
- Good month: Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Good month: Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are clear and dry after the monsoon.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cool and dry; nights are cold in the hills.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to May is warm, with flowering trees and some haze.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to September is wet, with slippery paths and landslides on access roads.
Where to stay
HomestaysGuesthouses
Very limited local lodging near the lake; most visitors return to Gaighat.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Travel to Gaighat, then take local transport north into the hills towards Rautamai and walk the final stretch if needed.
Nearest hub: Gaighat
- roadBuses reach Gaighat from Kathmandu and the eastern Terai.
- jeepLocal jeeps run from Gaighat into the northern hills; ask locally for the current road head nearest the lake.
Permits and fees
None needed
No permit is needed to visit Rauta Pokhari.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Udayapur District, Wikipedia.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Rauta Pokhari
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Landslidesmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
Monsoon rain brings landslides to hill roads in northern Udayapur and makes trails slippery.
Road blockagesmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
Rough road sections into the hills can be cut for days after heavy rain.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- Check road conditions locally before setting out, especially after rain.
- Carry water and snacks; facilities are basic.
- Respect the sacred nature of the lake: no swimming or fishing.
Questions about Rauta Pokhari
Where is Rauta Pokhari?
In the hills of northern Udayapur district, Koshi Province, in the Rautamai area.
Why is Rauta Pokhari sacred?
The lake is associated with the goddess Rautamai, whose temple stands nearby.
How do I get to Rauta Pokhari?
Travel to Gaighat, then take a local jeep north into the hills.
Do I need a permit?
No permit is required.
Nearby
Temple, monastery or heritage site
Chaudandigadhi
The hill seat of the old Chaudandi kingdom in Udayapur, remembered for the Sen rulers of eastern Nepal and the Gorkha conquest.
Town or village
Okhaldhunga
The hillside headquarters of Okhaldhunga district, an old bazaar town in the middle hills south of the Solu region.
Town or village
Diktel
The ridge-top headquarters of Khotang district, a quiet hill bazaar in the Rai heartland between the Dudh Koshi and Sun Koshi.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Rautamai Rural Municipality, Wikipedia, Udayapur District, Wikipedia, Nepal Tourism Board